Jo 1 (histidyl tRNA synthetase) is a member of the amino acyl-tRNA synthetase family of enzymes found in all nucleated cells. Jo 1 antibodies in patients with polymyositis bind to conformational epitopes of the enzyme protein and inhibit its catalytic activity in vitro.(1)

Jo 1 antibodies are a marker for the disease polymyositis, and occur most commonly in myositis patients who also have interstitial lung disease. The antibodies occur in up to 50% of patients with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and symmetrical polyarthritis.(2)